Automatic water heater



Mar. 3. 1925.

mvENToR Mar. 3; 1925. 1,528,038

G. s. WALKER AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER man! 4G Patented Mar. 3, 1925. Y

. UNITED STATES GILBERT s. WALKER, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. l

AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER.

' Application filed November 4, 1919. Serial No. 335,646.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GILBERT S. WALKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania (whose permanent post-office address is American Society'of Mechanical Engineers, 29 West Thirtyninth Street, New York, N. Y.),have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Vater Heaters, of which the fol lowing is a specication.

All automatic water heaters heretofore produced have operated much of the time at less than their full capacity due to the fact that the full amount of water could not pass the valves at small difference of water pressure, after the heater had been set for greater difference of pressure. The high price 0f these heaters frequently inducedthe user to install one of too` small a size, and -for him then to find that it seldom gave even the rated amount of water caused dissatisfaction. These heaters also gave hot water that varied in temperature to an objectionable extent. lVhen the pressure of the water supply fell below normal the temperature of the hot water would be above normal, in spite of the fact that sensitive theremostats were provided to regulate the valves. High supply pressure also resulted in the hot water being below the normal temperature, especially in the basement. Y

The object of my invention is to automatically maintain a uniform flow ofywater at the rated capacity of the heater, say four gallons per minute, no matter how the conditions vary. lVith this uniform flow of water a thermostat, even though not very sensitive, will easily keep the temperature of the water within narrow limits by regulating the fiow of gas. Vith the handV operated water regulating valves heretofore used setfor four gallons a minute, more than four gallons were deliveredl in the basement and less than fourv gallons ink the upper stories. This caused a corresponding variation in the temperature of the water whichV the thermostat could not entirely correct, and it also caused a reduction in the capacity of the heater during much of the time it was v in use. My water governor remedies these defects.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a general view ofthe heater.

Figure 1tL is a section through all the important parts of the invention.'

Figure 2 is ay section of a modified form of the water governor.

Figure 3 is a section of another modified form of the water governor.

Fig. 3a is a cross section of the same on line a-o of Fig. 3.

Figure 4 shows a modified way of applying a water governor to a water heater.

Referring to Fig. 1, the heater has a casing A inside of which are the main burners B. C is the water heating coils. D is a hot water outlet faucet. E is a small valve controlling the pilot light F. 4() is the gas supply. G is the gas valve and 34 is the gas pipe leading to the main burners. I is the water motorand 2 is the cold water inlet. 53 is the governor valve which is the novel feature.

Referring to the form shown in Fig. 1, a well known combination of water motor I, water valve MV and gas valve G, for automatically bringing the water heater into operation when water is drawn, is shown at the right. The numeral 1 designates the .inlet chamber of the water motor, which chamber communicates with the water inlet pipe 2. Carefully fitted in the chamber is a motor piston 6 adapted to close the port 3, which port communicates with the pipe 4 and thence through the valve 5 with the water governor described below. The motor spring 13 bears against the motor piston 6 and against a screw head 17 at the back of the water motor. The back chamber 14 communicates with the pipe 15 and thence througlr the small or nearly closed valve 16 with the pipes v85 and 63. The stem 20 is attached at 19 to the motor piston 6 and passes first through va stuiiing box 18, then through a stuffing box 31 and its lower end is adjustably. connected to a gas valve 36.

A head 32 closes the end of the gas outlet chamber 33. This outlet chamber communicates with a gas outlet pipe 34 conducting gas to the burners B. The-gas valve 36 is adapted to close on 'its seat 37. .The inlet chamber 39 communicates with the gas inlet pipe 40. The screwhead 41 that closes the lower end of the inlet chamber 39 also adjuststhev spring38 and carries alimit stop 42.

The water operated governor or governor motor is shown at R.v The back chamber 50 of the cylinder 53 is closed by a screw head 51 carrying ascrew 52 adapted toY limit the movement of the governor piston 59. A pipe piston 59 communicates with the pipeGS,`

pipe 85, and also through the` partlj closed valve 5 With pipe There is packing. 58 between the governor piston 59 and the plate 57, held .bv a screw The, governor piston operates a valve 7l ot ther balanced type. This valve is in the .torni eta. piston adapted to close the port 6.() and regulate. the liow ot water. throizigh the. heater. Through the valve 7l and the ineniber67 attaching` itto the piston is a passage 66 undone or more holes whichxmay be. ot. smallenough size to cause anappreciabile loss of pressi'uc/bfetiveen chambeigGQy .andchamber 68 when the Water: is lioiving through at the full capiuzity of the heater. The, port 69. communicates with the pipe. 70 leading' to the upper end oty the.. heater coil C. lnythe chamber 68 there is, a. spring, 76 tending' to open the valve. and also servesto adjust the compression of spring 76, There is also a screw. 77 to limit the movenicntoii. the valve.

Theoperation is the same. as an ordinary heater. but. with the 1 novel 'features of the water. governor R5 which regulates the Water flow to the,capacitvotthe heater, regardless of changes inv Water5 pressure. Several Atypes oit suchigovernors. are. in common use on drinking.tountains,. hydraulic elevators and other hydraulic.machinery. Thevalve 7l can regulate the Water flow inmore than. Oneway. Anyone oftheseis suiicient and` the, other parts may be omitted;

When. a hot Water faucet` Dis opened,

coldfivateriiovvs from the.. Water inlet pipe.

Q into theivater motorfinlet,I chamber 1. At the samev time some Water flowsout ofthe baci: chamber. 14,. through valve 16, pipe 85, pipe 63. changiber 69...l passe, chamber 66.y port 69, pipe 7 O, and thence throiwh the heater to theopenfaucet. This smatllfinitial flow moves the motor piston 6 back and opens .gas valve 36, and also opens the vmotor watcrfvalve ,MV by uncovering port@ 3, thus puttingthe heater, into operation. The Water nowovvs .freely fromV the Water. inlet pipe 2, through the Water motor inlet chamber li port, pipet. valve 5,4.pipe63, chamlieiyGQ'. passage.667 chamber 66, port.69=.; pipe.

70..-heater` coil and out.. at the open faucet.

lloolargen flow through66-ivill reduce. the. pressure in chainber68.cl0se port 69V more onless andliinit the flow. as explained.

more ullj7 in connection with Fig. 3. But.

without;thisieature,L difference of pressure on.. tlie ..tivoy sides`A ofthe governor piston. 59 will ,moveftherf/valve7l against the `spring `76V close thetport lflloie4 orl lessand reducethe.,l )rough theheater.. If' the.

screu' plug,` 76 closes this chamber.

pressure... in chamber 62..- gets nearer .to that in they back chamber 50. the spring 76 will open port 69 more or less and increase the iioiv of ivater throughy the heater. Any change in the quantity Vof Walter flowing through.therestriction at 3 or 5 Will change the diiierenee of pressure. on the two sides ot thegovernor. piston .59 and move the valve 7l until the How is nearly normal again.

The valve 7l and the governorpiston 59 Which operatesitmust move easily so as to respond readilylto, slight changes of difterence .of pressure betiveen chambers 50 anflj 62, tomaintain a nearly unilorm flovrof Water .an d I:therefore a nearlyunitorm diiferf ence et pressure betweenthe tivo sides ofthe restriction at valve Thisuniform difierence ,of .pressurebetiveen thetivo sides ofthe. restriction.correspondingto a uniform flow through the restrictionenables .the device to compensate for variations in back pressure in the hotivater outlet pipe. or variationsof direct. pressure. in the Coldwater. inlet pipe. This same uniform difference.o f'pressure is also kepton tl1e,.inotor piston 6, so. that hot; water may bedelivered at vas great an elevationas with previous heaters.

The valve 7l When operated by the govorner piston 5S) Will keep auniforin difference or pressure atthe poi-t3 or atany hand adjusted \\'ate,1.\alve Asuch as 5 or the type ot valve commonly used onthis kind of heater, und will thus insure a uniform flow .ot Water a t the rated capacity of thelieaten sajv four gallons .per minute, nov matter hovvthe conditions vary.

lullig. Qlis shown a modified form ot a. part of inv invention in which thegovernor and; valve are consolidated to simplitjT the structure. The. gas valve andinotor` are not. shoivn but are ol Welllmovvn.construction or, like those shown in connection with the previously described torni. The Water enters 'trom pipe to chamber 50. The.. valve 5 is adapterlto.partly close the, pipe 6 3 which commiginicates With chamber 68. The piston is `shown at59. Its edge 71 is adapted to close. port 69 .communicating with the Water pipe 70. The spring 76 opens the valve. It is adjusted byA the sere7 plug' 7S. audtliere is aniotion limit at 77.

The chamber 50. communicatesby pipe 55.. through. valve, vvith pipe 63 as shoivn inl, theV previous ligure.1 "But, in thisforin the piston valve 50.. has its lower edge 7l adapted to coverthe Aport 69 which communi- Cates with thepipe70.y Attached, tothis. pistonv valve is a. stem.,v The.l chamber 68. communicates...with pi pe;66.V The spring.76 inthe .chainlien tendsto openthe portl.` This spring 76 is adjustable Aby meanest., screw 78. The Serf-W77 canbe adjusted to keep thefport.v SQXalivays partlyfopen.A

'When a 1hotfxvate'r.faueetfis opened theL unbalanced pressure.; onv pi'spn '59. will closerV port 69 more or less. Reduced differenceof pressure on piston 59 will permit spring 76 to open port 69 just enough to ke'ep a uniform dierence of pressure between chambers 50 and 68 ena-bling the device to regu-` late the flow of water regardless of the total difference of pressure between pipes 55 and 70.

InFig. 3 is shown a simpler form of the device for obtaining a nearly uniform flow of water through any heater in spite of moderate variations of pressure. The water enters the chamber 62 from the pipe 55 and flows through the friction passage 66 in the pist-on valve 71 and out at 70. The piston valve is pressed up by concentricl springs 76, the movement being limited by a stop 52. The screw plug 78 in the lower end of the chamber serves to adjust the spring pressure. The lower edge ofv the piston valve 714 is adapted to nearly close the port 69. Then the desired quantity of water is flowing, the

upward pressure of the spring and thef downward pressure and friction of the flowing water balance each other.. A larger volume of water moves the piston valve down and closes the port more or less. A smaller volume of water lets the piston valve move up and open the port.

In all of the forms various modifications in the water connections readily suggest themselves to every one, and the water may be passed through in the opposite direction if the modiiications obviously necessary in that case be made.

Referring to the modified form shown in Fig.'4; there is a combination water motor and water valve operating the gas vvalve 137. The back chamber 102 at the top of the water motor communicates with pipe 103 andAv through valve 126 with the water outlet pipe lVO. A screw 104 presses a plate 105 against a motor spring 106 and adjusts it. A motor piston 107 is adapted to uncover a port 109 and open up' communication through pipe 110 and valve 111 with the water out-let pipe WO. The inlet chamber 112 is in communication with a pipe 114, and throughv a hand adjusted water valve 113 with a pipe 163. The lower end of the inlet chamber is closed by a head 115. A stem 118 is connected at 117 to the motor piston 107, passes through a stuffing box 116 and connects with the gas valve stem 131 passing through a stuth'lig box 132. A screw head 133 can be turned to adjust the pressure on the spring 136. The gas valve 137 is adjustably attached at 138 to its stem 131 and is adapted to close on its seat 139 and cut ofi' the flow of gas from the gas inlet pipe 135 and inlet chamber 134 to the outlet chamber 140 and outlet pipe 142, which leads to the b-urners of the water heater, not shown.

A water governor is shown at the right. The end of its back chamber 150 is closed by a screw plug 151 which can bev screwedY limit thev closing of the port 169. The backY chamber 150 communicates with pipe 155 and through the cock 156 with theoutlet pipe WTO, and through the by-pass cock 156 to pipe 114 and thence through valve 113 to pipe 163. The diaphragm 158 separates the back chamber 150 from the chamber 162 which latter communicates with pipes 163 and 114. A loosely fitted piston 165 partly obstructs the chamber 166. The area of the annular water passage between it and the chamber walls may be so small that when the desired quantity of water flows the friction and difference of pressure on the two sides of this piston will be sufficient to move it and thc attached valve 171 to regulate the flow of water. Below this pistonl the chamber 166 communicates with the pipe 167. Further down the port 169 communicates with the water inlet pipe 170.

adapted to be closed by justably connected to the diaphragm at 157 and 159 by the stem 164. The lowest chamber 172 communicates with pipe 167 to form a by-pass about the valve 171 to balance it. The end of the chamber 172 is closed by a plug 178 carrying a screw 177 to limit the movement ofthe valve.

This port 169 is the valve 171 ad-.r

Opening any hot. water faucet reduces the water pressure in the hot water pipes and in back chamber 102. The water at inlet pressure in chamber 112 now causes the motor piston 107 to move up as fast as the valve 126 will permit and open the. gasvalve 137. lVlien the motor piston uncovers the Y port 109 a flow of water is established from the water inlet pipe 170, through port 169, chamber 166, pipe 163, valve 113, pipe 114,

chamber 112, port 109, pipe 110, valve 111,

- tothe water outlet pipe WO.

If either valve 156 or bypass valve 156 is opened slightly the parts can be adjusted to Vregulate the water passing through the heater to a uniform flow. Friction at 113,

111 or 109 produces a difference of pressure on the two sides of the diaphragm 158. The spring 154 is adjusted to keep port 169 partly open in spite of this and allow the rated amount ofwater to flow through the heater. .Any increase in the difference of pressure at the valve 113, above that for which the spring 154 is adjusted, causes valve 171 to close and nearly restore the normal flow. Y

In the various figures several equivalent elements are shown that are interchangeable and their use is not limited to the particular figure in which each is shown.r

I claim:

1.k In an automatic water heater, the combination with a conduit conveying water to and through the heater, of a casing interposed in the conduit and provided with a port, a pistonvalvev mounted in the casing sothat the movements thereof Will open and close`- the port, and yielding `means acting upon the piston valve to move ythe same in a v-.directionto openthe port, said piston valve being provided with a restricted passage through which the Water flovvs in a direction tending to move the valve to close the port.

2. In anV automatic Water heater, the coin- Nlbination of a casing, a balanced valve therein to controlthe flow of Water, a member attached* to the valve to partly obstruct the flow. ofrivater and cause the floivingwater to exert a closing force on the valve, and a 151 spring exerting an opening force on the valve.

3. In an automatic Water heater, a valve to limit the iow of` Water through the heater to a certain number of gallons a minute, a

nv'second'valve to regulate the pressure on the iirst3 mentioned valve for the purpose of enabling. the lirstmentioned valve to accomplishits purpose in spite of changes in Water pressure, anduneansactuated by differences 5"- of yWater. pressure to operate the second valve.

4. In an automaticwvater heater, a burner for heating thewvater, afuel valve to control the burner, a. Water motor to operate said fuel valve, a Water valve to automatically .''i regulatetherloiv. ofivater through the heater, a governor waterinotor to operate said Water. valve, means for. producing a difference of Water pressure proportional to the quantity of Water flowing through the heater andcommunicating saiddift'erence of Water pressureto both Water motors.

5. In an automatic Water heater, a pipe conveying Water, ameans therein to cause a difference of Water, pressure While Water is l? flowing, tivo ivaler motors operated by said difference. ofpressure, a Water valve operatively connected to one of said motors to regulate the flow ofwater, and a fuel valve operatively connected to the other motor.

6. In an automatic Water heater, the combination With a Water motor Which is operatedrby differences of Water pressure, means actuated by the Water motor for controlling the flow of Water through the heater, a gov- 'in' ernor motor operated by differences of Water pressure, aWater valve operativelyconnect-- ed with the governor motor, and means providing a` restricted passageV through Which` the Water flows, the. Outlet end ofl the rev strictedl passage being in communication with the. inlet side: of the. before. mentioned Water valve, and also inrcommunicationwith, the low pressure side of each of the before.

mentioned motors, vvhilethe inlet end ofthe restricted passage is in communication with. the high pressure side of. each of the motors..

and source of Water supply.

7. In a Water heater, the combinationwith vvater. actuatedmeans for automatically puts ting the heater in. operation when. Water is:

drawn, of avrater actuated governor operating entirely independent of: anyother mech? anism to automatically maintain. a uniform flow of Water regardless ofY variations. of.

8. In a Water. heater, the combination .with

Water actuatedmeans for automatically put-v ting the heater in operation when Water is drawn, of a valveV operating atg a certain pressure t0 limit the ioiv of vvater through the heater to a predetermined,quantityiin `al given time, and meansV fon automatically maintaining` a substantially uniform. pressure on the said valve, whereby a uniform flow ofwvater. through the heater is maintained regardless of-variatons in pressure.

9. In a water heater., the. combination with water actuated means yfor automaticallyputting the heater in operation when Water isk 

